Name of Ethnic Group: Khang (Xa
Khao, Xa Xua, Xa Don, Xa Dang, Xa Hoc, Xa Ai, Xa Bung, and Quang Lam).
Population: About 4,000
people.
Locality: Son La and
Lai Chau Provinces.
Customs and Habits: The Khang
live in houses built on stilts, with three rooms. Each house has two
kitchens, one kitchen is used to cook daily meals and the other is used
to warm and cook meals which are offered to worship dead parents. Khang
marriage ceremonies go through three steps. First, a marriage proposal
is made. Next, parental approval is sought; and finally the wedding
occurs. The first stage is held for the groom's family and the second
stage is held in order to accompany the bride to her husband's home.
Culture: Khang language
belongs to the Mon-Khmer Group.
Costumes: Khang women
dye their teeth black and chew betel like the Thai.
Economy: The Khang
mainly practice slash-and-burn cultivation using traditional techniques
such as digging holes and planting seeds in these holes. They grow sticky
rice which serves as their food staple. Their weaving products include
chairs, baskets, flat baskets, suitcases, packs, and wooden boats. The
Khang also grow cotton and exchange it for cloth and garments.|